Previously, powerhouses in horror filmmaking at Blumhouse unveiled a video game label and debuted their initial game as publishers, Fear The Spotlight, during Summer Game Fest last year. Upon reviewing it, I discovered it to be an acceptable entry-level horror game with an appropriately eerie atmosphere that served as a suitable introduction into the genre for newcomers or those less familiar with it. At this year’s Summer Game Fest in 2025, Blumhouse revealed two additional games that may not have been designed for beginners but effectively showcased the publishing aspirations of Blumhouse Games.
As a dedicated horror gaming enthusiast, I must say that Grave Seasons and Crisol, though both belonging to the chilling realm of horror games, are as distinct as night and day. While Grave Seasons unfolds in a 2D universe, Crisol immerses me in a fully three-dimensional world. Unlike Grave Seasons, which follows the adventures of an unseen character from a third-person perspective, Crisol places me right at the heart of the action as I traverse its digital landscape in first-person view.
What sets these games apart even more is their unique approaches to horror storytelling. Grave Seasons offers a chilling take on farming sims, while Crisol seamlessly combines elements reminiscent of recent Resident Evil installments with the enigmatic allure of BioShock. Both games are set against the backdrop of a world inspired by Spanish art and folklore.
This summer, I was granted a sneak peek at these captivating titles during Summer Game Fest 2025, courtesy of Blumhouse. Despite being a relatively new player in the gaming industry, Blumhouse has managed to make waves with its association with horror’s modern titans. Their involvement serves as an exciting promise of what lies ahead from a publisher that carries the esteemed name and reputation associated with one of today’s most influential horror brands.
It seems like almost half of the horror films released in the movie industry carry the Blumhouse logo at their start. Although this isn’t strictly accurate, it’s clear that the production company is involved in a wide variety of horror productions, including blockbusters such as The Conjuring and Paranormal Activity, as well as standout movies like Get Out and the 2020 remake of The Invisible Man. The idea of Blumhouse venturing into horror video games piques my interest, as I hope they’ll be able to spot talented projects hidden among the masses.
As a gamer, I recently had a chat with Blumhouse’s Ara Josefsson following my demos with their SGF 2025 lineup, and he shared an interesting perspective: “We’re crafting various kinds of horror experiences for everyone.” This phrase encapsulates our approach to creating horror games.
It’s common for people to have a narrow view of what horror might entail, perhaps based on their personal experiences or cultural background. They might associate it with specific sub-genres like body horror or jump scares. However, the world of horror games is much broader than that. Our upcoming games aim to expand this understanding and showcase the full spectrum of horror experiences. I believe our future creations will leave a lasting impression in this regard.
Beyond Grave Seasons and Crisol, Blumhouse has also unveiled several upcoming games. Sleep Awake, a first-person horror adventure, is being developed by the creative team of Spec Ops: The Line director Cory Davis and Robin Finck, guitarist for Nine Inch Nails, who are exploring a dystopian world where sleep doesn’t exist. The Simulation is a VR game that involves delving into a horror title rumored not to have existed before. Project C, which I find particularly intriguing, is the next creation from Sam Barlow, and he has collaborated with Brandon Cronenberg for what promises to be something unsettling, given Cronenberg’s filmography hints at the game’s mysterious nature.
Among all the pitches presented, Grave Seasons stands out as particularly intriguing. The game initially presents a setup reminiscent of Stardew Valley, but quickly shifts gears to a grisly murder and an ensuing mystery. By merging the gameplay mechanics of a farm simulator like Stardew Valley with a narrative focused on a serial killer, Grave Seasons promises to explore unconventional aspects in its romance and friendship dynamics within the game’s community. I’m excited to see how this neighborhood ensemble will be woven into an engaging whodunit storyline.
The artistic flair displayed in Crisol’s creation was striking, and I eagerly anticipate experiencing this game in its original language, Spanish, upon its release. However, during my demo, the gunplay felt rough, with aiming down sights proving inconsistent. Here’s hoping that aspect gets refined before it hits the shelves later this year. Balancing the ammo against your own health, a unique feature in the game, compensated for this roughness. In fact, I had to fight my instinctive urge to reload after every skirmish, which added an intriguing level of complexity to the gameplay experience.
Here are two observations about fans of horror: usually, they enjoy a variety of horror genres rather than just one, and their passion for the genre is often intense. It’s not just Blumhouse that focuses on diverse, smaller-scale horror projects; labels like DreadXP have been doing this for some time now, and Critical Reflex seems to be following suit. In a way similar to how Annapurna supports unique (complimentary) art games with its reputation, the recognition of Blumhouse lends weight to the horror games it takes on. Even if not every game turns out to be successful like Blumhouse’s films, I’m excited about exploring the upcoming projects they reveal in the near future.
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2025-06-12 17:09